When Ana* walks to school each morning, she carries her books, not her fear.
Twelve-year-old Ana has learned a hard lesson: using the bathroom at school is a safety risk. Inhagoia B Primary School serves over 1,400 students, yet its facilities are broken, dry, and unusable. Between the lack of running water and the overpowering smell, the environment is more than just unpleasant, it’s a barrier to education. Faced with the choice between getting sick, or feeling vulnerable, many students simply stop using them altogether.
For girls like Ana, the lack of privacy was more than an inconvenience, it was a barrier. Without locks or clean spaces, a basic necessity became a source of constant anxiety that pulled them away from their studies
That changed when WSUP, with the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stepped in.
Together, they rehabilitated two WASH blocks, installing nine cubicles each and completely reimagining the school’s sanitation infrastructure. Now, students have access to functional toilets equipped with running water, mirrors, and, crucially, doors that lock from the inside. Beyond the cubicles, new handwashing stations and safe drinking water provide simple services that yield an extraordinary impact. To protect this investment, the school now employs three dedicated staff members to ensure these facilities remain a clean and safe haven for years to come.
“Now I don’t have to think about the toilet when I go to school. I feel comfortable now. I am proud of my school,” Ana says.
She no longer worries about using the toilet during the school day. She feels safe. She feels respected. And she looks forward to coming to school.
These changes go far beyond infrastructure. They protect girls’ dignity, improve health, and help children stay in class, where they belong. With reliable water now available, the school can even maintain a garden, supporting a healthier and more positive learning environment for everyone.
Ana hopes the toilets stay this way, not just for her, but for the hundreds of children who will come after her, so no child ever has to think twice about something as basic as using the toilet at school.
*Name changed to protect privacy.